“Hope grows where compassion is planted.”

– Community Elder, Umm Al-Kheir

Bethlehem carries the spirit of Christmas gently this year—lights returning, streets slowly filling, and voices beginning to rise again after two seasons of silence. Yet in the hills surrounding the city, some of our closest neighbors continue to face daily hardship far from the warmth of celebration.

Umm Al-Kheir , a resilient Bedouin community in the South Hebron Hills, lives with challenges most families should never have to endure—scarce water, extreme poverty, and little access to medical care. Despite these conditions, the community remains rooted in dignity, generosity, and deep hope. As one elder beautifully reminds us: “Hope grows where compassion is planted.”

This compassion has already begun to take shape. With supporters standing beside us, five water tanks have been delivered through the Awda Lives in Every Drop initiative—each one a promise that life in Umm Al-Kheir matters, and that their struggle is not forgotten.

But the need continues.

As winter approaches, families face freezing nights without enough firewood, and many households still lack access to clean, reliable water. This season, we are calling on our friends—locally and globally—to take a simple but powerful step.

Your support this Thanksgiving can provide:

Water Tanks – $500 each We need 20 additional tanks to ensure every family receives safe and stable access to water.

Firewood – $500 per ton Families urgently need 35 tons to stay warm throughout the coldest months.

Every gift—whether large or small—directly helps families survive winter with dignity. It turns despair into possibility. It reminds communities like Umm Al-Kheir that they are seen, valued, and not alone.

This season invites us to give, to stand together, and to plant compassion where it is needed most.

Give the gift of hope.

Give the gift of warmth.

Give the gift of life.

Holy Land Trust

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